1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers season NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers seasonNational Basketball Association (NBA) and 26th in Los Angeles . The Lakers entered the season as the defending NBA champions, having defeated the previous NBA champion and rival Boston Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals in six games, having finally defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals after having lost to them 8 consecutive times in the championship series. The Lakers looked to repeat as NBA Champions, after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in three games in the First Round, and then defeating the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the Semi-finals in the playoffs, but were unable to defend their title, as they lost to the Houston Rockets in the conference finals in five games after winning the first game, but proceeded to lose the following four. The Rockets would go on to lose to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in six games.
NBA draft
The 1985 NBA draft Lottery " era. The lottery was put into place so teams did not have to intentionally lose games to receive the number one pick.
Roster
1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
C 33
Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem
225 lb (102 kg)
1947-04-16
UCLA
SG 21
Cooper, Michael
170 lb (77 kg)
1956-04-15
New Mexico
PF 45
Green, A.C.
220 lb (100 kg)
1963-10-04
Oregon State
C 34
Guðmundsson, Pétur
260 lb (118 kg)
1958-10-30
Washington
PG 32
Johnson, Magic
215 lb (98 kg)
1959-08-14
Michigan State
PF 25
Kupchak, Mitch
230 lb (104 kg)
1954-05-24
North Carolina
PF 20
Lucas, Maurice
215 lb (98 kg)
1952-02-18
Marquette
SF 40
McGee, Mike
190 lb (86 kg)
1959-07-29
Michigan
PF 31
Rambis, Kurt
213 lb (97 kg)
1958-02-25
Santa Clara
SG 4
Scott, Byron
195 lb (88 kg)
1961-03-28
Arizona State
SF 35
Spriggs, Larry
230 lb (104 kg)
1959-09-08
Howard
SF 42
Worthy, James
225 lb (102 kg)
1961-02-27
North Carolina
Head coach Assistant coach(es) Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) SuspendedRoster
Regular season
On Wednesday, December 4, 1985, Maurice Lucas made a 60-foot shot at the regulation buzzer to send the game into overtime. The Lakers would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz 131–127.[ 1]
The Lakers started the season 19–2.[ 2]
On Wednesday, January 22, 1986, the Boston Celtics (31–8) defeated the defending champion Lakers (32–8) 110–95 in a matchup of the league's two best teams.[ 3]
On Friday, January 24, 1986, the Boston Celtics (32–8) overtook the Los Angeles Lakers (32–9) as the team with the best record in the NBA. The Celtics maintained the league's best record for the remainder of the season.
On Thursday, February 6, 1986, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 46 points in a game against the Houston Rockets , his highest single-game total since a 48-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 26, 1975. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 117–95.[ 4]
On Sunday, February 16, 1986, in the season's second matchup between the Celtics and Lakers, this time in the Forum. Boston won again, 105-99 despite not having All-Star Kevin McHale in the lineup.[ 5]
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1985-86 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MIL
NJN
NYK
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
UTA
WAS
Atlanta
–
0–6
5–1
4–2
1–1
1–1
4–2
1–1
1–1
5–1
2–0
1–1
3–3
4–2
5–1
4–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–4
Boston
6–0
–
5–1
5–1
1–1
1–1
4–1
2–0
2–0
5–1
2–0
2–0
5–0
4–2
5–1
4–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
5–1
Chicago
1–5
1–5
–
3–3
0–2
2–0
2–4
2–0
1–1
3–3
1–1
0–2
1–5
2–3
4–2
1–5
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–4
Cleveland
2–4
1–5
3–3
–
1–1
1–1
1–5
0–2
0–2
3–2
1–1
1–1
1–5
3–3
4–1
0–6
2–0
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–5
Dallas
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
–
3–3
0–2
4–1
1–5
2–0
2–3
1–4
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
5–0
2–3
3–3
4–2
3–2
5–1
1–1
Denver
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–3
–
1–1
3–2
3–3
2–0
4–1
3–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–1
3–2
3–3
3–3
2–3
3–3
2–0
Detroit
2–4
1–4
4–2
5–1
2–0
1–1
–
1–1
1–1
5–1
2–0
1–1
2–4
4–2
4–1
2–4
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–2
Golden State
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–4
2–3
1–1
–
0–5
1–1
5–1
2–4
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–4
1–5
2–3
2–3
2–4
2–3
1–1
Houston
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
5–1
3–3
1–1
5–0
–
2–0
3–2
1–4
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–2
3–2
4–2
5–1
3–2
3–3
2–0
Indiana
1–5
1–5
3–3
2–3
0–2
0–2
1–5
1–1
0–2
–
2–0
0–2
2–4
2–3
2–4
0–6
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
5–1
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
3–2
1–4
0–2
1–5
2–3
0–2
–
2–4
1–1
2–0
2–0
0–2
2–4
2–4
5–0
1–4
3–3
3–2
0–2
L.A. Lakers
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
2–3
1–1
4–2
4–1
2–0
4–2
–
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
5–1
6–0
5–0
4–1
4–2
5–0
2–0
Milwaukee
3–3
0–5
5–1
5–1
2–0
0–2
4–2
2–0
2–0
4–2
1–1
0–2
–
4–2
6–0
4–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
4–2
New Jersey
2–4
2–4
3–2
3–3
0–2
1–1
2–4
1–1
1–1
3–2
0–2
1–1
2–4
–
5–1
2–4
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–4
New York
1–5
1–5
2–4
1–4
1–1
1–1
1–4
1–1
0–2
4–2
0–2
1–1
0–6
1–5
–
0–6
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
3–3
Philadelphia
1–4
2–4
5–1
6–0
2–0
1–1
4–2
1–1
1–1
6–0
2–0
0–2
1–4
4–2
6–0
–
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–3
Phoenix
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–5
1–4
2–0
4–2
2–3
1–1
4–2
1–5
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
–
2–4
2–3
3–2
5–1
1–4
1–1
Portland
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–2
2–3
1–1
5–1
2–3
2–0
4–2
0–6
0–2
0–2
2–0
0–2
4–2
–
3–2
1–4
5–1
2–3
0–2
Sacramento
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
3–3
3–3
2–0
3–2
2–4
2–0
0–5
0–5
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
3–2
2–3
–
5–1
5–0
2–4
1–1
San Antonio
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–4
3–3
1–1
3–2
1–5
1–1
4–1
1–4
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–3
4–1
1–5
–
2–3
2–4
2–0
Seattle
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–3
3–2
0–2
4–2
2–3
0–2
3–3
2–4
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–5
1–5
0–5
3–2
–
2–3
1–1
Utah
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–5
3–3
1–1
3–2
3–3
2–0
2–3
0–5
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
3–2
4–2
4–2
3–2
–
1–1
Washington
4–1
1–5
4–1
5–1
1–1
0–2
2–4
1–1
0–2
1–5
2–0
0–2
2–4
4–2
3–3
3–3
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
—
Game log
Regular season
1985–86 game log
October: 3–0 (home: 0–0; road: 3–0)
November: 11–2 (home: 7–1; road: 4–1)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
4
November 2
@ Golden State
W 120–116
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31)
Kurt Rambis (9)
Magic Johnson (13)
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 4–0
5
November 5
Cleveland
L 111–129
Magic Johnson (23)
Magic Johnson (8)
Cooper & Johnson (8)
The Forum 4–1
6
November 7
@ Utah
W 116–106
James Worthy (26)
Maurice Lucas (12)
Magic Johnson (12)
Salt Palace 5–1
7
November 8
Denver
W 128–99
Byron Scott (29)
Magic Johnson (10)
Magic Johnson (12)
The Forum 6–1
8
November 12
Utah
W 119–110
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
A.C. Green (8)
Magic Johnson (10)
The Forum 7–1
9
November 14
Portland
W 114–102
Magic Johnson (30)
3 players tied (9)
Magic Johnson (12)
The Forum 8–1
10
November 15
@ L.A. Clippers
W 127–96
Mike McGee (19)
Magic Johnson (9)
Magic Johnson (14)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 9–1
11
November 17
New Jersey
W 138–119
Mike McGee (26)
Kupchak & Lucas (8)
Magic Johnson (15)
The Forum 10–1
12
November 20
L.A. Clippers
W 122–107
Magic Johnson (22)
Maurice Lucas (11)
Magic Johnson (20)
The Forum 11–1
13
November 21
@ Denver
L 120–121
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32)
Abdul-Jabbar & Lucas (10)
Magic Johnson (18)
McNichols Sports Arena 11–2
14
November 23
@ Portland
W 130–113
James Worthy (25)
Kurt Rambis (12)
Magic Johnson (14)
Memorial Coliseum 12–2
15
November 24
San Antonio
W 118–102
Magic Johnson (23)
Kurt Rambis (11)
Magic Johnson (13)
The Forum 13–2
16
November 29
Seattle
W 108–107
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31)
Magic Johnson (16)
Magic Johnson (17)
The Forum 14–2
December: 11–3 (home: 5–1; road: 6–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
17
December 1
Chicago
W 117–113
James Worthy (33)
Maurice Lucas (11)
Magic Johnson (17)
The Forum 15–2
18
December 4
@ Utah
W 131–127 (OT)
Magic Johnson (29)
Magic Johnson (9)
Magic Johnson (8)
Salt Palace 16–2
19
December 6, 1985 p.m. PST
Houston
W 120–112
Abdul-Jabbar (35)
Green ,Lucas (9)
Johnson (14)
The Forum 17–2
20
December 8
Dallas
W 125–119
Byron Scott (30)
Green & Rambis (9)
Magic Johnson (15)
The Forum 18–2
21
December 12
Phoenix
W 127–102
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35)
Green & Kupchak (7)
Magic Johnson (20)
The Forum 19–2
22
December 13
@ Denver
L 120–124
James Worthy (37)
Magic Johnson (11)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (7)
McNichols Sports Arena 19–3
23
December 15
Detroit
W 132–119
James Worthy (25)
Kurt Rambis (11)
Magic Johnson (15)
The Forum 20–3
24
December 17
@ New York
W 105–99
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26)
Maurice Lucas (10)
Magic Johnson (12)
Madison Square Garden 21–3
25
December 18, 1985 p.m. PST
@ Milwaukee
W 107–105
Abdul-Jabbar (31)
Rambis (13)
Cooper ,Johnson (8)
MECCA Arena 22–3
26
December 20
@ Cleveland
W 128–116
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
Magic Johnson (14)
Richfield Coliseum 23–3
27
December 21
@ Washington
W 96–84
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29)
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (8)
Magic Johnson (13)
Capital Centre 24–3
28
December 26
@ San Antonio
L 91–109
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24)
Kurt Rambis (6)
Magic Johnson (8)
HemisFair Arena 24–4
29
December 28
@ Sacramento
W 133–111
James Worthy (31)
Lucas & Worthy (7)
Magic Johnson (13)
ARCO Arena I 25–4
30
December 29
Golden State
L 122–130
Magic Johnson (30)
James Worthy (8)
Magic Johnson (12)
The Forum 25–5
January: 10–5 (home: 8–1; road: 2–4)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
31
January 3
Utah
W 110–101
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
Abdul-Jabbar & Worthy (7)
Michael Cooper (9)
The Forum 26–5
32
January 5
Washington
W 118–88
A.C. Green (20)
A.C. Green (10)
Magic Johnson (17)
The Forum 27–5
33
January 8
Portland
W 125–121
James Worthy (30)
James Worthy (10)
Magic Johnson (16)
The Forum 28–5
34
January 10
Indiana
W 124–102
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31)
Kurt Rambis (13)
Magic Johnson (11)
The Forum 29–5
35
January 11
@ Seattle
L 99–105
James Worthy (26)
Maurice Lucas (9)
Magic Johnson (16)
Seattle Center Coliseum 29–6
36
January 14
Phoenix
W 143–122
James Worthy (23)
Magic Johnson (9)
Magic Johnson (19)
The Forum 30–6
37
January 16
L.A. Clippers
W 112–96
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26)
Maurice Lucas (14)
Michael Cooper (13)
The Forum 31–6
38
January 19
@ Detroit
L 115–118
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38)
Maurice Lucas (12)
Magic Johnson (18)
Pontiac Silverdome 31–7
39
January 20
@ Chicago
W 133–118
James Worthy (33)
Maurice Lucas (12)
Magic Johnson (14)
Chicago Stadium 32–7
40
January 22, 1986 p.m. PST
@ Boston
L 95–110
Abdul-Jabbar (17)
Green ,Lucas (10)
Johnson (6)
Boston Garden 32–8
41
January 24
@ L.A. Clippers
L 109–120
James Worthy (26)
James Worthy (11)
Michael Cooper (13)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 32–9
42
January 25
Denver
L 115–127
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26)
Kurt Rambis (10)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
The Forum 32–10
43
January 28, 1986 p.m. PST
Milwaukee
W 125–115
Abdul-Jabbar (32)
Lucas (8)
Cooper (11)
The Forum 33–10
44
January 30
@ Portland
W 118–94
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
Michael Cooper (12)
Memorial Coliseum 34–10
45
January 31
Philadelphia
W 134–100
Byron Scott (24)
Kurt Rambis (8)
Michael Cooper (13)
The Forum 35–10
February: 8–5 (home: 3–2; road: 5–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
46
February 2
New York
L 96–103
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (40)
Kurt Rambis (10)
Michael Cooper (11)
The Forum 35–11
47
February 4
Dallas
W 110–102
Abdul-Jabbar & McGee (21)
Maurice Lucas
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (8)
The Forum 36–11
48
February 6, 1986 p.m. PST
@ Houston
W 117–95
Abdul-Jabbar (46)
Worthy (13)
Cooper (9)
The Summit 37–11
All-Star Break
49
February 11
@ Golden State
L 113–137
James Worthy (21)
Lucas & Rambis (10)
Magic Johnson (10)
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 37–12
50
February 12
@ Phoenix
W 126–100
Mike McGee (34)
Kurt Rambis (11)
Magic Johnson (11)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 38–12
51
February 14
Atlanta
W 141–117
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
Kurt Rambis (12)
Magic Johnson (16)
The Forum 39–12
52
February 16, 1986 p.m. PST
Boston
L 99–105
Worthy (35)
Abdul-Jabbar (9)
Johnson (12)
The Forum 39–13
53
February 19
@ Indiana
W 90–81
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (21)
Maurice Lucas (10)
Magic Johnson (10)
Market Square Arena 40–13
54
February 21
@ New Jersey
L 106–121
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28)
Maurice Lucas (8)
Magic Johnson (10)
Brendan Byrne Arena 40–14
55
February 23
@ Philadelphia
W 117–111 (OT)
Magic Johnson (34)
Maurice Lucas (8)
Magic Johnson (11)
The Spectrum 41–14
56
February 24
@ Atlanta
L 93–102
Johnson & Lucas (23)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12)
Magic Johnson (5)
Omni Coliseum 41–15
57
February 26
@ Dallas
W 119–116
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
3 players tied (7)
Magic Johnson (9)
Reunion Arena 42–15
58
February 28
Phoenix
W 115–103
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
Kurt Rambis (8)
Magic Johnson (12)
The Forum 43–15
March: 14–3 (home: 9–0; road: 5–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
59
March 1
@ Phoenix
L 106–123
Maurice Lucas (23)
Maurice Lucas (12)
Magic Johnson (9)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 43–16
60
March 3
Golden State
W 127–117
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34)
Kurt Rambis (16)
Magic Johnson (16)
The Forum 44–16
61
March 5
Utah
W 130–84
Mike McGee (20)
Kurt Rambis (11)
Magic Johnson (8)
The Forum 45–16
62
March 6
@ Golden State
W 112–111
Magic Johnson (30)
Kurt Rambis (12)
Magic Johnson (14)
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 46–16
63
March 8
Sacramento
W 122–121 (2OT)
Magic Johnson (33)
Kurt Rambis (11)
Magic Johnson (17)
The Forum 47–16
64
March 9
@ Seattle
W 108–106
Magic Johnson (32)
Byron Scott (9)
Magic Johnson (9)
Seattle Center Coliseum 48–16
65
March 11
L.A. Clippers
W 129–108
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19)
A.C. Green (11)
Magic Johnson (16)
The Forum 49–16
66
March 13
Seattle
W 105–92
Magic Johnson (27)
Green & Rambis (8)
Magic Johnson (13)
The Forum 50–16
67
March 16, 1986 p.m. PST
Houston
W 116–111
Abdul-Jabbar (43)
Johnson (12)
Johnson (12)
The Forum 51–16
68
March 18
Portland
W 128–122
Magic Johnson (26)
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (6)
Magic Johnson (11)
The Forum 52–16
69
March 19
@ L.A. Clippers
L 114–115
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34)
Maurice Lucas (7)
Magic Johnson (11)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 52–17
70
March 21
@ San Antonio
W 117–109
Magic Johnson (27)
Maurice Lucas (11)
Magic Johnson (10)
HemisFair Arena 53–17
71
March 22
@ Sacramento
W 115–113
James Worthy (32)
Maurice Lucas (9)
Magic Johnson (14)
ARCO Arena I 54–17
72
March 24
San Antonio
W 124–102
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (20)
Maurice Lucas (14)
Magic Johnson (12)
The Forum 55–17
73
March 25
@ Denver
W 121–115
James Worthy (30)
James Worthy (10)
Magic Johnson (19)
McNichols Sports Arena 56–17
74
March 29
@ Seattle
L 87–88
Magic Johnson (20)
James Worthy (7)
Magic Johnson (12)
Seattle Center Coliseum 56–18
75
March 30
Golden State
W 124–117
James Worthy (34)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10)
Magic Johnson (19)
The Forum 56–19
April: 5–2 (home: 3–1; road: 2–1)
1985–86 schedule
Playoffs
1986 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Conference semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
Western Conference Finals: 1–4 (home: 1–2; road: 0–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Series
1
May 10, 1986 p.m. PDT
Houston
W 119–107
Abdul-Jabbar (31)
Johnson ,Lucas (7)
Johnson (18)
The Forum 1–0
2
May 13, 1986 p.m. PDT
Houston
L 102–112
Johnson (24)
Rambis (9)
Johnson (19)
The Forum 1–1
3
May 16, 1986 p.m. PDT
@ Houston
L 109–117
Abdul-Jabbar (33)
Johnson ,Lucas (8)
Johnson (20)
The Summit 1–2
4
May 18, 1986 p.m. PDT
@ Houston
L 95–105
Worthy (26)
Johnson (12)
Johnson (11)
The Summit 1–3
5
May 21, 1986 p.m. PDT
Houston
L 112–114
Abdul-Jabbar (26)
Abdul-Jabbar (13)
Johnson (13)
The Forum 1–4
1986 schedule
Player statistics
Note: GP= Games played; MPG= Minutes per Game; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; PPG = Points per Game
Season
Playoffs
Award winners
Transactions
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(February 2013 )
References
^ "60-foot shot sets up Lakers' win, 131-127". USA Today ^ "Lakers win 127-102 to run record to 19-2". USA Today ^ DuPree, David (January 23, 1986). "Boston break keeps Lakers reeling 110-95". USA Today ^ DuPree, David (February 7, 1986). "Abdul-Jabbar scores 46; L.A. romps 117-95". USA Today ^ DuPree, David (February 17, 1986). "Celtics put Lakers in pace 105-99". USA Today
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